Friday, June 20, 2014

Paul Job

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

Is an Aviation Photographer!

“Experience the Art of Flight”

For those of us pilots who are in awe of the beauty we see daily, I understand Paul's passion. Paul has always been fascinated with aviation photography and he's now an aviation art photographer residing in the world famous mining town of Kimberley, South Africa. A specialist more like.

As you see his photos you will be as impressed as I was when I first saw them. Paul didn't just buy a camera and start taking shots. He worked hard and it paid off. He studied every picture in aviation magazines, seeing the beauty and power of aviation. Legendary aviation photographer Herman Potgieter was his hero and inspired him from an early age as he pursued his passion.

After his tertiary education in photography, he worked as a computer technician. Which enabled him to pursue his dream to become a photographer. In 2004, he became a full time photographer. Two years later he specialized in aviation photography.

He tells me that after numerous setbacks, he persevered and reaped the benefits of staying in a little mining town.

“Living in Kimberley, I had more opportunities to take beautiful photographs than other photographers in my profession."

In 2008, he became a full-time member of ISAP (International Society of Aviation Photographers), thus defining himself as a world-class photographer.

Paul became known in social media, as “the Magician” of aviation photography, because of his ability to transform aviation photography into an art form. His photography is used in aviation magazines around the world.

I'm going to have Paul take the photo for my next book cover!

What makes Paul distinctive from the rest of the aviation photography fraternity? He tells me it's his extensive use of manual focus lenses. He wanted to stand out from the rest. He decided to train himself in the use of industrial, hand-operated, mirror lenses to photograph his subjects. Which is an extremely laborious art form that few aviation photographers would consider doing.

“I have been told that I am mad using lenses like this… I choose this art form because it is so demanding to master. I know that few photographers will have it in them to pursue that direction of technology. Photographers love auto everything, on their cameras, because they don’t want to work for their photographs.”

To date Paul is the only full time aviation photographer in the world using exclusively manual focus lenses for his aviation photographs.

Paul would most likely be considered a pioneer in his field with the use post production editing extensively to beautify his aviation art.

“20th century technology with 21st century photography, that is how I can explain my trade.”

Paul sells his prints online and targets corporate or private individuals who want décor art for their business or studies.

More of his amazing photography can be viewed on his website: www.pauljob.com

Paul shared a story with me about the last photo in series. Now I know why he does what he does.

"This Pilatus
PC-12 is coming in to land was of AMS (Air Mercy Services) that operated
in Kimberley. They were an air medical service operating here in the
Northern Cape. I showed the photo to the pilot flying the aircraft the
next day and he had tears in his eye.

It was just such a powerful
photograph for him that he really got very emotional about it. I then
realized that I have a unique ability to really get an emotional going
in people, especially pilots, when they see these images. I hope to
improve on them and that I can continue to get people to love aviation
as I love it, that is why my company slogan is:

“Experience the Art of Flight”

Which is your favorite photo?

It's hard to decide... but maybe the first one for me. But then I love the plane flying into the sunset. Reality is, I love them all. They are truly powerful. Excellent job Paul!